15th November 2024

By Alex Buabeng-Korsah

THEME: CAN THE POT CONTEND WITH THE POTTER?

THEME SCRIPTURE: "Woe to the man who fights with his Creator. Does the pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with him who forms it, saying, 'Stop, you're doing it wrong!' or the pot exclaim, 'How clumsy can you be!?'" - Isaiah 45:9 TLB

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS.

1. Have you ever disagreed with God on a matter before?
2. Did you choose your way and what was the result?

Can a man strive with his maker and win? Abner had been a strong backbone to King Saul throughout his reign over Israel. Now, King Saul is dead and David has been anointed King over Judah (2 Sam 2:4). Quickly, upon realizing that David has been anointed King in Hebron, Abner took Ishbosheth, the grandson of King Saul, and made him King over Israel (2 Sam 2:8-9). Abner's career reveals the principles upon which ambitious men build their lives.

 

Abner was aware that by the word of the Lord, David was designated to rule and not Ishbosheth. Yet, to advance his own interest, Abner set up an opposing kingdom. Then comes the question, "Can a man contend with his maker?"

 

Ishbosheth is now King over Israel, but he is weak. He is a puppet king. He was aware that his kingdom was artificial; it was man-made. Such that the men who made him king could remove him at any time, and this is what happened.

 

The day Abner threatened the king that he would desert him, the division between ambition and weakness was ignited. Abner had slept with King Saul's concubine. Though Saul was dead, it was an insult for another man to take a king's concubine. As a result, Ishbosheth queried Abner for this insult against his grandfather. Abner did not take this query lightly. In his anger, he informed Ishbosheth that he would transfer his kingdom to David because he didn't see any gain in contending for the house of Saul. That was how the alliance of ambition and weakness pitched against God's will was broken. Meanwhile, David was patiently reigning in Hebron, waiting, as our Lord waits at the Father's right hand till His enemies are made his footstool (Acts 2:34-35).

 

Precious One, is someone risen against you, and the word of God for your life? Has a mortal man purposed to contend with the will of the Infinite One? Relax and rejoice in Him who has the words of eternal life. Or, is it you who has set up an opposing kingdom against God's will for your own life? Then watch out. Can a man contend with his maker and prevail? Yes, you want to pursue your ambition even though it is not what God wants for you. Until you yield to His will, your pursuits will be unprofitable. Can the clay amount to something without the hands of the Potter?

 

Beloved, there was a long-standing war between the house of David and the house of Saul. But the house of David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker because David was on God's side. As Abner eventually yielded to God's will, let us yield to the plan and purposes of God for our lives and others. Knowing that only the counsel of Jehovah shall stand. Remain blessed.

 

FURTHER READING:  2 Samuel 3:1-12

 

 Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD.

1. How conscious are you in aligning your plans with the will of God?

 

PRAYER

Precious Father, it is Your will alone that shall be done in my life. I yield to Your plans and purposes for my life. I affirm that Your thoughts and plans for me are superior. They are thoughts of peace and not evil, to bring me to an expected end. Hallelujah!

 

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Nehemiah 1,  Nehemiah 2,  Hosea 12,  Colossians 3,  Colossians 4.